"except that they wouldn't happen if not for national media coverage"

Sorry, but that is not the answer. I'm not trying to defend the media - but if you really think that a television story is going to inspire someone to pick up a gun and shoot someone, then you are missing the problem.   As Spaw and others have pointed out, the issue comes down to health care.   Sorry John, but the dismantling did start with Reagan and it has continued through every administration since then.   Unless you have the resources, you do not have access to the help you need.

Instead of blaming the media for increases in violence, maybe it is time we wake up and look at how we care for people in this country.